Rebif versus placebo
The PRISMS study
The PRISMS* study, a large placebo-controlled study of an interferon therapy, compared people not taking an MS therapy (placebo) with people taking Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) for a period of two years. Rebif 44 mcg was given under the skin 3 times per week and at least 48 hours apart. The results showed that Rebif 44 mcg:
- Showed a 78% reduction in the median number of T2 active lesions per patient per scan as compared to placebo (0.5 vs. 2.25 lesions).
- Nearly doubled the time to relapse. This means people who took Rebif had more than twice as much time in between relapses, compared to those who took the placebo.
- Reduced the need for steroid treatment for MS exacerbations.
- Significantly reduced the number of patients with disability progression.
The exact correlation between MRI findings and the current or future clinical status of patients, including disability progression, is unknown.
The PRISMS study demonstrated that people taking Rebif experienced a reduction in the development of new brain lesions on MRI, reduced relapses and slowed progression of disability as compared to placebo
People taking Rebif 44 mcg 3 times per week had, on average, twice as much time without a relapse when compared to those taking a placebo.
The PRISMS study also showed only 26% of people taking Rebif 44 mcg had disability progression—as opposed to 37% of those taking a placebo. The time to progression of disability, which is the permanent worsening of your neurologic examination over time, was also nearly doubled versus placebo (21.3 months versus 11.9 months).
In the PRISMS study, only 3% of those taking Rebif 22 mcg and 5% taking Rebif 44 mcg stopped taking Rebif because of adverse events
It's important you inform your doctor or health care professional of any side effects or adverse events that you may have. There may be things you can do to help manage them.
Related Topics
*Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon beta-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis.
